Jazz Sunday – Sun, June 8

Jazz Sunday is Sunday, June 8th!

The Onion River Jazz Band is a seven piece traditional Dixieland jazz band based in Burlington, Vermont (that hot bed of jazz!). For over 30 years, the Onion River Jazz Band has been presenting traditional New Orleans Dixieland Jazz which represents the roots and origin of jazz in America. The band has worked to preserve the original sound of jazz with the performance of tunes from such legends and innovators as King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Bix Beiderbecke, Lu Watters and Clarence Williams. The band was formed in 1984 when a group of musicians played for a jazz worship service at the First Congregational Church in Burlington as a part of the Discover Jazz Festival.

The joyful tradition of Jazz Sunday at First Church has a thirty year history. The Onion River Jazz Band, with our own Tony Hall on the drums, formed in 1984 specifically to play for our first Jazz Sunday Worship which “closed out” the official festivities of the very first Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. In addition to playing a wide range of jazz and gospel tunes at many regional venues, the Onion River Jazz Band has played at every Jazz Sunday worship service since the tradition began!

On Sunday, June 8th, the ORJB begins playing at 9:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary, and will continue to provide a wide range of jazz tunes, hymns and traditional gospels throughout the 10:00 worship service. Following worship, the ORJB will play from the church’s front steps while the Fellowship and Hospitality Committee and volunteers serve ice cream on the front lawn. Please invite your friends and plan to join in this upbeat worship service!